EP 22 | Mark Gaudet: Father of 3 Boys / Spartan World Champion & Deka World Record-Holder / Improvements Snow Ball FAST!

Welcome back to the competitive edge podcast, I'm your host, Daniel Hickman.. where fathers learn from fathers to sharpen their competitive edge as an athlete and in life!

This is Episode 22 today, with an amazing runner and dad athlete of 3 boys (ages 1, 6, and 9).

Mr. Mark Gaudet lives in Colorado Springs, CO, he is 37 years old and is in Active Duty as an Infantry Officer for US Army.

2021 Spartan Ultra World Champion, Dekafit Team Relay world record holder, and 2nd Place 2022 World's Toughest Mudder

What are your biggest accomplishments in business or in your professional career?

Serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment, competing/finishing the Best Ranger Competition 4 times.

What is your biggest accomplishment as a father (in regard to your family members)?

Seeing my boys become great humans, excel in school, and share my passion for fitness/sports.

How would you define "Competitive Edge"? I'll phrase it as a question - What am I willing to do that others won't, that will set me apart when the time comes to compete?

When did the competitive side of you begin?

My parents exposed me to just about every sport growing up. Played 5 sports in high school - all-conference in all 5 and all-state in 3. I've been hyper-competitive from the start.

What was the dynamic with your parents? who brought you to sports and etc?

Both parents were athletes and are still active to this day. They both encouraged me, practiced with me, and carted my ass around to practices and games day after day.

What is that quote or saying your parents always told you that sticks with you today?

"How bad do you want it?"

What kind of competitive athletic events did you compete in before kids as an adult?

Big into triathlon as a child growing up in S FL, mostly team sports through high school, but transitioned more toward individual and endurance events early in my Army career. OCR became an interest more recently. Fatherhood didn't necessarily impact my competitive interests.

What did your training schedule look like before your kids? Unstructured. Significantly more lifting.

What kind of competitive events do you compete in now as a father? OCR, trail running, ultra endurance events.

What does your training schedule look like now as a father? (hours per week est) I average about 6-8 hours on my feet running and a few more lifting/cross-training.

How have you adapted/adjusted and what changes have you made competing and/or training as a father?

I wake up earlier to get workouts in and I try to involve kids in my training as much as possible.

What are some things or ways you stay present as a father balancing training and fatherhood?

Program-protected family time (Friday movie night) bring kids on weekend race trips, spend time w/ kids immediately when you get home (before you power down).

Why do you train and/or compete? What drives that bug in you to compete?

Find my physical and mental ceiling.

What are the most notable improvements you've noticed from staying fit and/or competing in fitness events? What changes have you experienced that you would most likely brag about to a friend? What benefits do you get out of training and competing? The friendships it's given me, it's allowed me to excel in my career, and kept me young)

What kind of time management hacks have you conquered?

Training in am or pm etc? Earlier the better! Use lunchtime to squeeze activity in.

What advice would you have for those men out there that lost connection with their health when they finished competing as an athlete or as a first-time dad that lost touch with their competitive edge and respect for the man in the mirror? Improvements snowball FAST. All it takes is one good workout/meal to get started.

What big races, or events, coming up for you this year?

Colorado Marathon this weekend, Silver Rush 50, Leadville 100

How can everyone find you and follow what you're doing (IG handle, website, etc)? any sponsors or upcoming items you want to share? IG @markgaudet85 VJ Shoes, Firefly Recovery, Elevate Internal Fitness